My Bedford, New York Farm Covered in Snow
Today, the temperature is expected to hit 50-degrees Fahrenheit at my Bedford, New York farm - a veritable heat wave compared to last week’s frigid days in the 20s.
It doesn’t look like we’ll get a white Christmas here this year - in fact, there isn’t any precipitation forecasted in this area until next weekend. Our last snowstorm was a couple of weeks ago - about three inches of snow covered the farm - it was the most beautiful sight.
Enjoy these photos. I will be spending Christmas with my daughter and grandchildren. I wish you all a very merry and safe holiday.
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- This snowstorm on December 11th was heavier than the one on December 4th. The snow weighed many of the tree branches down around the farm. Luckily, there was very little damage. These two giant Norway spruce trees are the only ones left of a stand of spruce that used to surround the Tenant House. I had five of them, along with one white pine, cut down earlier this year because they were leaning dangerously close to my daughter’s house.
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- Here is another photo of the Tenant House from the Stewartia garden in the back. Without the giant trees, it is a whole different look, but these Stewartias are doing very well. I am so proud of all the trees I have planted around my farm – thousands and thousands. It’s one way I can give back to the Earth and help to create a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable planet for my grandchildren, and for everyone.
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- Here is a view of my little Basket House. This photo was taken in the early morning. It is actually a colored photo, but the lighting made it look as if it was done in sepia. The big trees are bald cypress, Taxodium distichum. These are fast growing North American natives.
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- The snow covered everything. On the right, one can see the snow covered roof of the old corn crib.
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- This view is of the soccer field or “Party Lawn.” During summer, it is my grandson’s favorite spot – I put out a regulation-size soccer net where he and his friends can play for hours. On one side are these weeping hornbeams. We prune these regularly to keep the beautiful shape.
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- The pool is now covered for the season. Look closely at the staddle stones at the far end – so perfect in that location. Staddle stones were originally used as supporting bases for granaries, hayricks, game larders, etc. The staddle stones lifted the granaries above the ground to protect the stored grain from vermin and water seepage.
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- Looking over the pool, the sky looks so ominous – it changed colors often on this day – cloudy white to blue to gray. I love to take snapshots of the changing colors of the sky.
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- Here is one of three finials atop my large Equipment Barn. I bought these years back and knew they would be perfect on this building.
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- And this is one section of my pinetum, an area I developed behind my Equipment Barn and near one of my weeping willow groves. The pinetum collection has grown so well over the years. It includes pines, spruces and firs, as well as other evergreens. In the foreground, a recently planted border of Osmanthus fastigiata.
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- One of the most popular views at the farm – this one looking down the long and winding carriage road to the lower hayfields and the woodlands beyond.
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- The snow covered the edges of the cobblestones in my stable courtyard leaving a very interesting geometric pattern.
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- This is my stable office. In front, four garden urns now enveloped in protective burlap.
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- My gorgeous horses were kept inside overnight and then let out into their paddock the next morning after the storm. Here is Rutger coming up to greet the camera.
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- And here is Meindert – so happy to be outside. All my horses are in their Rambo Supreme Turnout Rugs from Horseware Ireland.
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- It’s always pretty to see untouched snow. This path between the paddocks leads up to my Winter House and carport. Many of you comment on the fencing. It is 100-year old white spruce fencing from Canada with newer cedar uprights to support it. I love how the snow collects on the fence rails.
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- From a distance, this allee of lindens looks so pretty covered in snow. I planted this section of the allee several years ago. The linden tree, Tilia, is also referred to as basswood or lime, though it is not related at all to the lime fruit. They are straight stemmed trees with smooth bark. The specimens below are all European beech trees, Fagus sylvatica, or the common beech, planted earlier this year.
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- Walking back up toward my Winter house is the donkey paddock and their run-in shed. These run-ins are a must for any farm animal. they provide protection from bad weather such as rain, snow, wind and summer heat.
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- This grove of apple trees was here when I purchased my home – they still produce an abundance of apples every fall.
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- The boxwood hedge surrounding my herbaceous peony bed is now well-insulated from the inclement weather. We are almost completely done with this year’s burlap project – it takes several weeks to do, but well-worth every bit of effort.
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- Hard to see the fountain in the center of this photo. This is one of two fountains I had installed on my terrace parterre just in front of my Winter House kitchen.
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- This view is back near my Winter House – just between the paddocks looking north – the pergola is on the right. The snow from this storm is all gone now, but I am glad we captured some of the beauty while it lasted. Go to my Instagram page @marthastewart48.com for more of my photos. Happy holidays!
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